KATHMANDU, Jan 11: The Department of Drug Administration (DoDA) under the Ministry of Health and Population has warned of action against those selling and distributing banned vitamin-mineral combination medicines.
The DoDA has issued a notice urging an immediate halt to the sale and distribution of medicines that are not registered with the DoDA and are banned by the Nepal government.
Director General Narayan Prasad Dhakal stated that medicines imported without the DoDA's approval risk public health because their safety, quality, and efficacy cannot be guaranteed.
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The DoDA's notice states that importing nutraceuticals and beauty products that closely resemble the active ingredients and brand names of registered medicines, without registration with the department, and making them available through medicine shops has created confusion among doctors, healthcare professionals, and patients.
The notice mentions that complaints have been received about the import and sale of pharmaceutical formulations (tablets, capsules, syrups) containing vitamins and minerals listed in the pharmaceutical package insert under the name of nutraceuticals, as well as the sale of drug-infused ointments, creams, and beauty products. During market monitoring and inspection, the DoDA found that these medicines, which are not registered, were being sold and distributed through pharmacies with prescriptions from doctors.
The DoDA has stated that it will confiscate products found being sold or distributed in violation of the notice during inspections and will take legal action under the Drugs Act, 1978.
According to the Drugs Act, 1978, and its regulations, individuals with certification to sell medicines must only sell or distribute medicines registered with the department, as specified in Section 8(a) of the Act.
